Fastening article

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a fastening article for fastening shoes having eyelets. The article comprises an elastomeric strap member with a thin cross-sectional area having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end define an aperture therein. The elastomeric strap member is proportionally sized to extend across a tongue area of said shoe and respectively align the first end aperture with a first eyelet of the shoe and the second end aperture with a second eyelet of said shoe. A first end fastening element attaches the first end of the strap member to the first eyelet. A second end fastening element attaches the second end of the strap member to the second eyelet. In operation, the article for fastening properly comfortably secures the shoe to a person.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/349,072 filed May 27, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastening article for comfortably securing shoes on a person. More specifically, the invention discloses the fastening article used for the fastening of shoes which have successive horizontal pairs of eyelets that would normally be secured by the use of conventional shoelaces. The fastening article allows shoes to be fastened without the use of shoelaces and may be a benefit to those who lack manual dexterity or have broken or missing shoelaces. The fastening article provides a close visual effect of shoelaces without the need to tie the ends of shoelaces or the concern of them becoming untied.

The prior art discloses various ways to fasten eyelet shoes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,811 discloses an article for fastening shoes which comprises an elongate cord having first and second ends thereof and substantially T-shaped elements or barbs at each end of the cord. Each T-shaped element snap-fits through the eye-lets of such shoes.

Another example of a way to fasten eyelet shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,439. The '439 discloses shoe fasteners which include multiple elastic strips connected between spaced apart eyelets in the shoe which are provided with unitary indicia on at least two of the strips.

Another example of a way to fasten eyelet shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,240. The '240 patent discloses a fastening device which includes a main frame with a first end to which a clamping part is assembled and fixed, and a second ring-shape end, which is fastened to the clamping part.

Another example of a way to fasten eyelet shoes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,589. The '589 patent discloses a fastening device which comprises a double ended clip hook with a flattened, contoured c-shape hook at both its two ends. A fastener is grasped at one hook end of the double ended clip hook which is inserted manually into one of a pair of eyelets over the tongue of the shoe and then the elastic is stretched to the second eyelet of the pair to be securely held by the other hook end.

Notwithstanding the prior art, there remains a need for a repetitive, reliable, and predictable way of securing shoes on a person. Also, there is a need for securing shoes on a person which is convenient, customized, and easy to use for a person.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention preserves the advantages of prior articles or methods for securing shoes on a person. In addition, it provides new advantages not found in currently available articles or methods and overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available articles and methods.

The present invention includes a fastening article for fastening shoes having eyelets. The article comprises an elastomeric strap member with a thin cross-sectional area having a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end define an aperture therein. The elastomeric strap member is proportionally sized to extend across a tongue area of said shoe and respectively align the first end aperture with a first eyelet of the shoe and the second end aperture with a second eyelet of said shoe. A first end fastening element attaches the first end of the strap member to the first eyelet. A second end fastening element attaches the second end of the strap member to the second eyelet.

In operation, the fastening article properly comfortably secures the shoe to a person. In operation, the fastening article is used for properly securing the shoe to a person. First, a person selects an elastomeric strap member based upon various factors identified above for desired tension and fit of the shoe on the person. Next, a person selects at least one fastening element for inserting through the elastomeric strap member and into at least one eyelet. Alternatively, the fastening element or other means may permanently secure the strap member into the eyelet or other portion of the shoe. If desired, more than one fastening element and more than one elastomeric strap member may be used to secure the shoe upon a user. Once the at least one strap member is secured to the shoes, the tongue of the shoe can be used to elongate the straps to remove or place the foot into the shoe, thus not needing to remove the connection of the strap and the shoe.

It is therefore an object of the fastening article to comfortably secure shoes on a person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are characteristic of the fastening article are set forth in the appended claims. However, the fastening article, together with further embodiments and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of fastening articles of the present invention secured to a shoe;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fastening articles in FIG. 1 secured to a shoe;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the fastening article in FIG. 1 secured to a shoe;

FIG. 4 is an isolated view of a screw of a fastening element of the fastening article in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isolated view of a cap of a fastening element of the fastening article in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an isolated view of an elastomeric strap member of the fastening article in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a fastening article 10 for comfortably securing shoes on a person. More specifically, the invention discloses the fastening article 10 used for the fastening of shoes which have successive horizontal pairs of eyelets that would normally be secured by the use of conventional shoelaces. The present invention allows shoes to be fastened without the use of shoelaces and may be a benefit to those who lack manual dexterity or have broken or missing shoelaces.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-6, the present invention discloses the fastening article 10 that is superior to known ways for fastening by being far superior in construction and ease of use. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the fastening article 10 for fastening shoes is attached to a shoe 100 having eyelets. The fastening article 10 includes an elastomeric strap 30 and at least one fastening element 20, 22 for securing the elastomeric strap member 30 to at least one eyelet of the shoe 100. The strength of the strap 30 is enhanced due to a width which spans a substantial surface area of a tongue area of the shoe. It is contemplated the strap member 30 may be made of materials other than elastomeric materials.

The elastomeric strap member 30, as illustrated in FIG. 6, has a first end and a second end. Both the first end and the second end define an aperture proximal thereto. The elastomeric strap member 30 is proportionally sized to extend across a tongue area of the shoe and respectively align the first end aperture with a first eyelet of the shoe and the second end aperture with a second eyelet of the shoe. A tension of the elastomeric strap member 30 may be adjustable by using different sized and dimensioned straps in relation to a distance between the first and second eyelet. For example, a person may select a proper tension and thereby the desired elastomeric strap member 30 based upon a person's foot shape and size, type of shoe, activity level, type of activity, and desired frictional fit within shoe. The elastomeric strap members 30, in the present embodiment, have an elongated rectangular shape with a relatively thin profile but it should be noted that the shape, size, profile, and material selection for the elastomeric strap member 30 may also be adjusted to the desired tension of the strap member 30 and proper fit within shoe.

Referring to FIG. 3, as mentioned above, at least one fastening element 20, 22 is used to attach the elastomeric strap member 30 to at least one eyelet of a shoe. In one embodiment, a first end fastening element attaches to the first end of the strap member to the first eyelet. A second end fastening element attaches to the second end of the strap member to the second eyelet. It should be noted that the fastening element 20, 22 may be used to attach the elastomeric strap member either permanently or temporarily. Furthermore, the elastomeric strap member 30 may be permanently or temporarily attached at one or more eyelets or other areas of the shoe. Also, the fastening element 20,22 may be a separate and detached or integrally formed within the elastromeric strap member 30 and/or shoe.

The elastomeric strap member 30 may be positioned along a horizontal axis, vertical axis, or various other angles or directions from one eyelet to another eyelet. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastomeric strap member 30 may extend horizontally from one eyelet (on a left side) to another eyelet directly across from the eyelet (on the right side). Also, it may be used in a criss-cross pattern where the elastomeric strap members overlap one another as illustrated in FIG. 1 which is a similar pattern to conventional shoelaces.

The fastening elements 20,22 are configured and constructed in a variety of ways. In one example, the fastening element may be a cap 20 (FIG. 5) with a screw 22 (FIG. 4) integrally formed or separately attached. In another example, a fastening element may be a single piece made of plastics or other materials with a flange extension at a distal end. A further example may be a post with a cap attached at a proximal end and a nut secured at the distal end. Other types of fastening elements may include various configurations that are threadably attached, snap-nuts, or barbs which can be inserted through a top portion of the strap member and eyelet or a bottom portion of the strap member and eyelet. It should be noted that various means for attaching or securing the fastening element with the elastomeric strap member and shoe may be employed in the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, another feature of the present invention is to provide the person with the ability to use different colored strap members 30 and fastening elements 20,22 by disengaging the fastening element and removing the existing strap member. The person replaces the original strap member with a new or different colored or styled strap and fastening element for the desired visual effect. It should be noted that the straps and fastening elements may be sold in matching colors although users may decide to mix and match colors within the strap members, as well as the fastening elements being used to secure.

Furthermore, the strap member 30 can be used for identification or decoration. The strap member may also have indicia or writing which is removable or erasable by household chemicals and repeated as desired. The strap member can be used to affix nomenclature or indicia on a surface or object of any fashion related item (i.e. shoes, wristband, handbag, clothing, etc.) desired by the user.

In operation, the fastening article 10 is used for properly securing the shoe to a person. First, a person selects an elastomeric strap member 30 based upon various factors identified above for desired tension and fit of the shoe on the person. Next, a person selects at least one fastening element 20, 22 for inserting through the elastomeric strap member 30 and into at least one eyelet. Alternatively, the fastening element or other means may permanently secure the strap member into the eyelet or other portion of the shoe. If desired, more than one fastening element and more than one elastomeric strap member may be used to secure the shoe upon a user. In one embodiment, the elastomeric strap member 30 and fastening element 20,22 have a thin cross-sectional area or profile to increase spacing for a person's foot and increase comfort. For example, three or more elastomeric strap members and six fastening elements may be used to secure the shoe upon the user. Of course, it is contemplated that less than three strap member and less than six fastening elements may be used to secure the shoe upon the user. Once the at least one strap member is secured to the shoes, the tongue of the shoe can be used to elongate the straps to remove or place the foot into the shoe, thus not needing to remove the connection of the strap and the shoe.

It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be covered by the appended claims and the present invention. 

1. An article for fastening shoes having eyelets, comprising: an elastomeric strap member with a thin cross-sectional area having a first end and a second end, both said first end and said second end defining an aperture, said elastomeric strap member proportionally sized to extend across a tongue area of said shoe and respectively align said first end aperture with a first eyelet of said shoe and said second end aperture with a second eyelet of said shoe; a first end fastening element attaches said first end of said strap member to said first eyelet; and a second end fastening element attaches said second end of said strap member to said second eyelet, wherein said article for fastening properly secures said shoe to a person. 